Wiley

1xtra

Born 19 January 1979.

UK grime/hip hop artist Richard Cowie, aka Wiley Kat

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BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend |   BBC Radio 1

Wiley - Can You Hear Me? at Radio 1's Big Weekend

Wiley performs Can You Hear Me? in Derry-Londonderry for Radio 1's Big Weekend.

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Biography

Richard Kylea Cowie (born 19 January 1979), better known by his stage name Wiley, is an English rapper, MC, songwriter, record producer and recording artist with Caribbean roots from Trinidad and Antigua, originating from Bow, East London. He first rose to fame as a grime MC and continiously produces grime music while releasing eskibeat-rap singles, such as the UK Singles Chart top 10 hits "Wearing My Rolex", "Never Be Your Woman" and his UK number-one "Heatwave". He is considered a pioneer in the UK underground music scene, and a versatile music artist with many crossover hits. His consistency and influence within the grime scene is why he is honoured as the "Godfather of Grime" or "The King of Grime".

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Links & Information

Latest News Stories

News from the BBC

  1. Wiley reveals tour and new album

    Fri 25 Nov 2011 15:09

    The rapper is planning to go on a UK tour in 2012 in support of his new album.

  2. Happy returns?

    Sun 3 Jan 2010 00:10

    The rock and pop stars making comebacks in 2010

Latest Blog Posts

Blogs from the BBC

  1. Stars and charts - The week in BBC Music

    Tue 13 Nov 2012 00:08 Catch up... Elisha Sessions

  2. Tip of the Week: Paigey Cakey - Hood Swag

    Wed 8 Aug 2012 11:51 In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash... Tom Young

  3. Tip of the Week: Swami Baracus - The Recipe

    Tue 10 Jul 2012 14:47 In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash... Tom Young

BBC Reviews

  1. The Ascent 2013

    Review of The Ascent

    Reviewed by Adam Kennedy

    An incoherent album from the grime godfather, but one full of loveable eccentricities.

  2. Evolve or Be Extinct 2012

    Review of Evolve or Be Extinct

    Reviewed by Noel Gardner

    A haphazard, sometimes ridiculous, but often impressively inventive new set.

  3. 100% Publishing 2011

    Review of 100% Publishing

    Reviewed by Lloyd Bradley

    He’s kept grime moving forwards with some truly audacious sounds.

  4. See Clear Now 2008

    Review of See Clear Now

    Reviewed by Sophie Bruce

    Wiley should go down as a legend no matter what your taste.

  5. Playtime Is Over 2007

    Review of Playtime Is Over

    Reviewed by Adam Webb

    'Playtime Is Over' is no classic, but those retirement plans could be on hold for a...

  6. Treddin' On Thin Ice 2004

    Review of Treddin' On Thin Ice

    Reviewed by Matt Harvey

    ...the music gets stuck in your head and keeps going round and round.

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